Located in a “swallow’s nest” gallery, the
Brombaugh organ (1997) in the Memorial Chapel is modeled after
Renaissance Italian instruments. Modified somewhat to accommodate
other schools of organ music as well, this two-manual and pedal
instrument of nearly 1,000 pipes produces gentle, sparkling
tone on very low wind pressure. The organ is tuned in meantone
temperament (offering choices of e-flat/d-sharp and g-sharp/a-flat),
the tuning system used for most keyboard instruments in the
16th and 17th centuries. Carved pipe shades are made from centuries-old
Appalachian oak, while the Duke family crest is visible at
the very top of the richly polychromed organ case.
Perhaps the most significant feature of the Brombaugh organ
is its use of the historical "meantone" tuning system.
In the modern "equal temperament" tuning system,
the octave is divided into 12 equal half-steps, rather than
being based on the natural scale. This allows modern keyboard
instruments to play in any key, but it means that most intervals
are not "pure," according to the natural scale. In
contrast, the meantone system uses pure tuning for major thirds.
This means that it favors certain intervals, chords, and keys,
while making others unusable. In the "good" keys,
the contrast between consonance and dissonance is enhanced.
Early music that might seem bland when played on modern instruments "springs
to life," in the words of University Organist Robert Parkins.
Only a handful of modern meantone organs exist in the United
States, and its early Italian design makes the Brombaugh even
rarer.
